FAFSA/DREAM ACT APPLICATION INFORMATION
NEW: Click HERE for the William S. Hart Information Hub for FAFSA/ CA Dream ACT
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) # 1-800-433-3243
Financial Aid Overview Presentation
Tuesday November 18, 2025
Via Google Meets - Online 6:30pm
PAC: Financial Aid Night
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/htk-rmhi-bfw
Or dial: (US) +1 929-299-3153 PIN: 980 727 777#
FAFSA/DREAM ACT Application Workshop #1
January 21, 2026
6:30pm-8:30pm @ Canyon High School Library
FAFSA/DREAM ACT Application Workshop # 2
February 10, 2026
6:30pm-8:30pm @ Canyon High School Library
Have questions about FAFSA or CADAA? Attend one of our free CSAC Statewide Cash for College Webinars! These webinars will provide students and their families information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
The following google slides are from the Financial Aid Presentation at Canyon on November 12, 2024.
You can submit the FAFSA 2026-2027 Starting October 2025.
You can submit the Dream Act 2026-2027 Starting October 2025.
What's Changed for the 2024-25 FAFSA Form?
https://studentaid.gov/
Please look through the following options. Apply to all Scholarships that you fall under the eligibility requirements.
*Be careful when applying for scholarships. Never give out social security numbers; never pay for a scholarship; ask a trusted adult to look over opportunities before applying.*
If your parents work for a large company, sometimes the company has scholarships for the children of their employees. Ask them.
Check with your parent's work, your church or other organization you belong to.
Explore the following websites and apps:
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (app)
Scholly (app)
Orbot (app)
Check out: https://www.nhs.us/students/college-admission-planning/scholarship-search/
Scholarship Information from other local high schools--check the school's web page
Fill out your FAFSA to see if you qualify for a PELL GRANT
Find scholarships within your community: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, The Boys and Girls Club, The Rotary Club, and more.
Talk to local businesses (in person). Some of them will have scholarships which they will use for advertising to promote themselves.
Ask your relatives. Do they know of a business who has a scholarship opportunity?
Once accepted into your secondary educational institute, the financial aid office will have a list of scholarship opportunities to explore.
For information, tips, resources and helpful links on cost of attendance, applying for financial aid, how aid works and more, please spend some time exploring the UC Tuition and Financial Aid website.
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
DEADLINE: January 16, 2026 @ 3pm
AMOUNT: $500- $20,000+
With just ONE Application, you may be considered for one of more than
100 LOCAL Scholarships!! Scholarships range from $500 to $6000+ and are
awarded in Spring 2026. Beginning November 17th, scholarship applications will be available on the SCVSF website. This year the application is completely online and due January 16th @ 3pm. Even if you do not have a strong GPA, you can still be considered for one of many merit or need
based scholarships.
The application link : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U9FhhHw9m6I_zB2poi0UYeStN3rGDyEXFI6fZ59srCw/viewform?edit_requested=true
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for scholarships, applicants must meet the minimum requirements detailed below. Some scholarships have additional prerequisites that will be included in the application descriptions.
Have attended both 11th and 12th grades at a school within the William S. Hart Union High School District. Eligible schools include: Academy of the Canyons, Bowman, Canyon, Castaic, Golden Valley, Hart, Learning Post Academy, Saugus, Sequoia, Valencia, and West Ranch.
Be graduating with the class year indicated on the application form.
Have a minimum GPA of 2.0
Have applied or plan to apply to a college or vocational school and plan to attend
Be in full compliance with the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Submit a typed essay of approximately 350 words in response to the writing prompt provided on the scholarship application for your graduation year.
CARRIE CUTCHALL-ROCHA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: April 10, 2026
Carrie Cutchall-Rocha was a teacher in the Sulphur Springs School District for 33 years. She helped mold the hearts and minds of over 1,000 students in her entire teaching career This scholarship was created to honor her amazing teaching career as well as recognize someone who has worked tremendously hard throughout their high school career.
Criteria:
Cumulative weighted GPA above 3.25 (through first semester of senior year).
Participation in CHS extracurricular activities, community service, employment, or other activities for two years during high school.
Looking for a Mitchell Community School alumni, but not a deal breaker. Open for ALL seniors to apply.
Applications can be picked up in the counseling office and must be submitted via email to ccrmscholarship@gmail.com
MALDEF SCHOLARSHIPS
DEADLINE: Varies
AMOUNT: $500- $20,000+
The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide is a free, informative resource guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, including many that do not inquire about immigration status.
Link: https://www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resource-guide-2026-2027/
BIGFUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS
DEADLINE: Monthly Scholarship Drawings
AWARD: $500-$40,000
There are no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements. It’s easy to enter scholarship drawings each month. Simply complete one of the steps before the deadline, and you’ll be automatically entered to win $500 and $40,000! Students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year have extra chances at scholarships because they’re eligible two entries each drawing.
Link: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships
Cal HOPE Courage Award
AWARD: $2,500
Presented monthly since February 2022, the CalHOPE Courage Award honors student-athletes at California colleges and universities who have overcome stress, anxiety, and mental trauma associated with personal hardships and adversity. In addition to the recognition, a donation will be made on behalf of all honorees to support mental health services. $60,000 + in Scholarships for CA High School Student-Athletes. Open to 12th grade students. If you would like to be nominated please see your school counselor or coach.
Link: https://calhopecourageaward.org/
CHICK-FIL-A COMMUNITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Link:https://apply.scholarsapply.org/cfacommunityscholars/information.php
BURGER KING SCHOLARS PROGRAM
DEADLINE: Opens October 15,2025 Due: December 15,2025
AMOUNT: Varies
Created in memory of Burger King Co-founder James “Jim” W. McLamore, the Burger King Scholars program has awarded nearly $60 million in scholarships to over 49,000 high school students, BK® employees and their families across North America since 2000.
Scholarship grants range from $1,000 to $60,000 and are intended to help students in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $60,000 and are intended to offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Recipients are selected through an application process that takes into consideration their grade point average (GPA), work experience, extracurricular activities, financial need and community service. In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships to nearly 4,200 students.The application period for the 2026-2027 cycle opens on October 15th, 2025 and will be open until we receive 30,000 applications or until December 15th, 2025.
You are invited to apply for the Burger King Scholars program if you are a high school senior in one of those locations, you have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent); you demonstrate community involvement through volunteering, sports, clubs and/or religious organizations; and you plan to enroll full-time in 2026-27 at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico or Guam. Link: https://www.burgerkingfoundation.org/programs/burger-king-sm-scholars
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: October 31, 2025
AMOUNT: $1,000- $35,000
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
Link: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
MAKE THE U /HAZ LA U HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: November 2, 2025
AMOUNT: $1,000
“Make the U” is an educational program from Colgate-Palmolive in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation that offers financial relief to Hispanic youth on their path to higher education.
At Colgate, we believe that a higher education is a path to a brighter future and are dedicated to Hispanic students like you. That’s why, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, we have created “Haz La U” (Make the U), a college grant program for Hispanic high school seniors.
Have you focused on academic excellence, dedicated service to your community, and demonstrated leadership? Your effort could be rewarded by winning one of 31 educational grants* with a total support of $100,000.
Eligibility
Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the Spring 2026.
Must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale
Must enroll at an accredited higher education institution by the fall semester.
If selected, attendance to virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory
Link: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/mission/make-the-u
JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Link: https://jackierobinson.org/apply/
Flyer with more information: https://jackierobinson.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/scholarship-app-opp2-1.pdf
BARBARA LOTZE SCHOLARSHIP FOR FUTURE PHYSICS TEACHERS
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2025
AMOUNT: $3,000
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers. Applicants must declare their intent to prepare for, and engage in, a career in physics teaching at the high school level and must, at the time the scholarship funds are received by the student, be:
§ an undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited two-year college, four-year college or a university; or a high school senior accepted for such enrollment.
§ pursuing, or planning to pursue, a course of study leading toward a career in physics teaching in the high schools.
§ showing promise of success in their studies, and
§ a citizen of the United States of America.
Applications can be submitted online, accepted at any time, and will be considered for recommendation to the Board of Directors at each AAPT Winter Meeting. All applications in which all materials, including letters of recommendation, are received by December 1 will be considered for recommendation at the winter meeting of the AAPT Board of Directors.
Link to the application: https://www.aapt.org/programs/grants/lotze.cfm
AMAZON FUTURE ENGINEER SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: January 15, 2026
AMOUNT: $40,000
Amazon Future Engineer students can boost their future for themselves and their community with the support of college funding, paid internships, and industry mentors. You can receive a scholarship of up to $40,000 (up to $10,000/year) towards an undergraduate degree in computer science and an offer to complete a summer internship at Amazon.
Eligibility Requirements:
Be a high school senior in the U.S. who is currently enrolled in or who has completed a high school or college dual degree course where computer science is the subject. Students who have not taken this course can opt-in to take an assessment offered by Amazon.
Be planning to attain a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other computer science related field of study from an accredited 4-year college or from a 2-year college with the intent to transfer to a 4-year college.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Example: Employment Authorization Document holder, Permanent Resident, or U.S. Citizen.
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
Must demonstrate financial need. This opportunity is to support students with a substantial need for financial assistance.
Link to the scholarship application: https://www.amazonfutureengineer.com/scholarships
EDISON STEM COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
DEADLINE: January 2025
AMOUNT: $50,000
The Edison Scholars Program recognizes students who want to be makers of tomorrow — the dreamers, inventors, guardians and pioneers — those who dare to be great. Edison International will award $50,000 college scholarships to 30 high school seniors to help them follow their dreams in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) and empower them to change the world. This is a chance for students with big dreams to advance their education and take part in shaping a brighter future.
Here’s the rundown of requirements:
Must be a high school senior with at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, plan to pursue studies in the STEM fields at a four-year accredited college or university and show financial need.
Eligible STEM majors include computer and information systems, engineering, engineering technology, management information systems, mathematics, natural resources and conservation and physical sciences.
Applicants must live in Southern California Edison’s service
The top 50 finalists will be required to submit a short video and potentially participate in a final interview. Don’t stress, these are just ways to get to know you better.
Dependents of Edison International and SCE employees and retirees are not eligible.
Link: https://www.edison.com/community/edison-scholars
HORATIO ALGER NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: March 1, 2026
Amount: $10,000- $25,000 to various students.
The Horatio Alger Association supports deserving young people who are overcoming significant challenges and are committed to pursuing higher education. Our scholarships and services serve as a powerful symbol of recognition of Scholars’ character and of our belief in their potential.
Link: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/
EQUITABLE EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: December 2025
AMOUNT: $5,000-$20,000
The Equitable Excellence Scholarship® is the flagship program of Equitable Foundation, the company’s charitable-giving arm. The enhanced scholarship program includes renewable scholarships and engagement to create pathways to opportunities for aspiring college students. The Equitable Excellence Scholarship® supports students from across the country who strive to be a force for good in their communities. By pursuing a postsecondary degree, these students show fortitude and resilience, and plan to inspire others in their community to pursue higher education. Please click here to be taken to the application page and to learn more about our 2025 Equitable Excellence Scholarship® program.
Eligibility Requirements:
We’re committed to students who show potential. Those with the courage to pursue what’s possible; display strength in managing challenges; share wisdom with others. The Equitable Excellence Scholarship® is our promise to those individuals dedicated to achieving their dreams.
Be a current high school senior that resides in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, who plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year. Demonstrate ambition and self-drive to be a force for good in their communities by encouraging others to pursue higher education. Be willing to provide a release to publicize their identities and information about their plans or achievements along with photographs for use in Program promotion/information. Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
To learn more, visit learnmore.scholarsapply.org/equitableexcellence/
THE HAGAN SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: December 2025
AWARD: Varies
The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients “regardless of nationality” with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Applicants must graduate from a high school located in the United States. Eligible high schools include public, private, charter, magnet, and STEM schools. The Applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000. Free workshops, Free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and Free Study Abroad provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Hagan Scholars have attended 637 colleges and universities located in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Hagan Scholars who graduate college while in the Hagan Scholarship Program can apply for a Hagan Graduate Scholarship good for up to four additional semesters in college receiving up to $7,500 each semester.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Must attend a public, private, charter, magnet, or STEM high school located in the United States.
2. Must be fluent in the English language.
3. Must be in the high school graduating class.
4. Must have achieved a 3.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
5. Must enroll in an eligible four-year or higher College or University the first fall semester following high school graduation. The Hagan Scholarship cannot be used to attend a community college, junior college, or online institution.
6. Must maintain a four year or less graduation schedule in college, or complete the equivalent of a four year degree if in a professional program.
7. Must work 240 hours from January 1, 2025 until September 1, 2025. Work must be regularly scheduled employment performed under supervision for compensation. Employment can be full-time or part-time, or a combination of the two.
8. Applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000. “Household Income” is defined as the total income received by all members of a household living under the same roof.
9. FAFSA information is not required from Applicants, only from Finalists in the spring of 2025.
10. Must apply for Federal and State grants if eligible.
11. Must not have a felony conviction.
Link: https://haganscholarships.org/
THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
This application will be available in November 2025 - check back then
DEADLINE: January 2026 to Mrs. Gonzales at CHS
AMOUNT: $500- $6,000+
With just ONE Application, you may be considered for one of more than 100 LOCAL scholarships. Scholarships range from $500 to $6,000+ and are awarded in Spring 2025. Complete the application handwritten or type it online and print and turn it in to Mrs. Gonzales. Even if you do not have a strong GPA, you can still be considered for one of many merit or need based scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. You must complete a Scholarship Application and meet all requirements and deadlines.
2. You must be a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley.
3. You must have attended at least the 11th and 12th grades in the William S. Hart Union High School District (Academy of the Canyons, Bowman, Canyon, Castaic, Golden Valley, Hart, Learning Post Academy, Saugus, Sequoia, Valencia, or West Ranch).
4. You must be graduating with the Class as indicated on the Application Form.
5. You must have at least a 2.0 GPA and plan to continue your education. You must be in full compliance with the William S. Hart Unon High School District Student Rights and Responsibilities Summary.
6. You must provide a typed essay of approximately 350 words addressing the writing prompt that appears on the Scholarship Application Form for the year you are graduating.
7. If selected as a recipient, you will be expected to write a thank-you/acknowledgment letter to the donor.
JACOB ZAMORA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE: March 2026
Jacob Zamora was a Canyon High School graduate who died at the age of 19 in a car accident in 2003. His family set up a scholarship in his honor. GPA requirements to apply is between a 2.5-3.4.